Photo Credit: Heartlight
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – Jesus – John 14:27
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7
Are you ever just exhausted from apprehension? Or a sense of foreboding…questioning whether things can ever be right?
I know…pretty dark for a Wednesday Worship…
But God!!!
A downward spiral can be flipped by the one act of fixing our eyes on God. Everything just looks different through that lens.
Fortunately, maybe it is not just different, but actually real. When we keep our eyes on God, we experience life as He intended.
The pain may still be there. The uncertainty. However…with God, peace comes to our hearts and minds. With peace, we can endure.
…Knowing God is not at all perplexed by our situation. His purposes are never thwarted. He is working all things for our good and His glory.
We have an embroidered English-Arabic blessing on the family room wall, by the door going outside. It reminds us of God’s peace and provision as we go out into the world every day.
God’s got us. No matter the circumstances.
This year has made me tired. This COVID 2020. At the same time, when the Spirit of God draws my attention to the Lord, rest comes. Peace comes.
I’m actually looking forward to 2021, not for a return to normal (whatever that would even look like after what we have all been through this year). My anticipation comes from a change in my attitude.
God is at work. He is moving in America…and in our world. What we can’t see, we will take by faith. The reward of such faith is His nearness to us and all that comes with that.
Worship the God of all peace…perfect peace. Sing with me this great old hymn (1876) by Frances Havergal, sung by George Beverly Shea.
Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.
Refrain
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.
Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.
Refrain
Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do.
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.
Refrain*
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – Jesus – John 16:33
*Lyrics and Story Behind the Song Like a River Glorious – Songwriter: Frances Havergal
YouTube Video – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Forrest) – the great hymn of resistance written by Martin Luther
YouTube Video – The Church’s One Foundation (Dan Forrest) – Premiere at Duke Chapel – great old hymn – seeing so many people packed in one church was startling after so many months of COVID restrictions